Reach-In Refrigerators

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Introduction

Reach-in refrigerators are typically found in restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, schools and convenience stores. They are medium- (40°F) or low-temperature (0°F), portable devices and range in size from 20 to 90 cubic feet. In a small business, the electrical load they impose typically ranges from 10% to 40% of the facility's total load.

Technology Options

Reach-in refrigerators and freezers can be more energy efficient if they are designed with components such as high-efficiency evaporator and condenser fan motors, hot gas anti-sweat heaters or high-efficiency compressors. All of these features can significantly reduce energy consumption and utility bills. Reach-in refrigerators' energy consumption is measure in kilowatt hours (kWh)/day. The lower the value, the more efficient the refrigerator.

Efficiency Benefits

Energy-efficient reach-in refrigerators or freezers may qualify for the ENERGY STAR label based on the commercial solid-door refrigerator/freezer criteria. ENERGY STAR qualified models can bring energy savings up to 46% with a 1.3-year payback, amounting to annual savings on your utility bills of $140 per refrigerator and $100 per freezer.

Below is an example of the energy savings potential from the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). Note that the best available unit can save nearly 40% over the base model.

Cost-Effectiveness Example
(Reach-in, Solid Door Refrigerator, 24.0 cubic feet)
Performance Base Model Recommended Level Best Available
Daily Energy Use 5.2 kWh 4.4 kWh 3.1 kWh
Annual Energy Use 1,891 kWh 1,621 kWh 1,132 kWh
Annual Energy Cost $113 $97 $70
Lifetime Energy Costa $890 $760 $530
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings - $130 $360
aLifetime Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted (present) value of annual energy costs based on continuous usage and an assumed life of ten years. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.2% are based on Federal guidelines (effective from April 2002 to March 2003). Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions: The example shown assumes a commercial refrigerator will operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and that the electricity price is 6ยข/kWh, the Federal average electricity price (including demand charges) in the U.S.

Note the best available unit can save nearly 40% over the base model.

Manufacturers

A list of ENERGY STAR qualifying manufacturers can be downloaded from the ENERGY STAR site. Click on the manufacturer list on the upper right of the ENERGY STAR web page.

Purchasing Tips

  • Select an appropriate-sized refrigerator or freezer for its intended use. Oversized units will increase the initial cost and lead to unnecessarily high operating costs due to energy losses and under-utilized capacity.
  • Maintain the interior temperature at the proper setting for storing food products. Many commercial refrigerators are equipped with an externally mounted, digital thermometer that makes checking the internal temperature easy.
  • Make sure that door gaskets and auto closers are maintained in good operating condition. Worn door gaskets and faulty auto closers allow warm air to enter the cabinet increasing energy consumption and possibly leading to food spoilage.

The ENERGY STAR program includes commercial solid-door refrigerators and freezers. Below are the criteria for qualification. The DOE Federal Energy Management Program also recommends the same energy performance levels.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators and Freezers
Product Type Energy Consumption Under Test Conditions
Refrigerators < 0.10V + 2.04 kWh/day
Freezers < 0.40V + 1.38 kWh/day
Refrigerator-Freezers < 0.27AV - 0.71 kWh/day
Ice Cream Freezers < 0.39V + 0.82 kWh/day
Note: V = Internal volume in ft3
AV = Adjusted volume = (1.63 x freezer volume in ft3) + refrigerator volume in ft3

The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) also recommends the same energy performance levels.

Emerging Technology

Manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to reduce the energy consumption of their equipment. Some of the potential energy consumption reductions may result from improved compressor performance, evaporator and condenser fan and motor improvements, high-performance insulation and onboard energy management controls.